BEDFORD – A Shoals man was arrested early Sunday morning on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) with a prior conviction after police observed him driving erratically on State Road 37—the driver, identified as 25-year-old Matthew Newkirk.
According to an affidavit of probable cause from the Bedford Police Department, Officer Taylor Daugherty was on patrol just after midnight on September 21, when she observed a blue Ford Focus repeatedly crossing the center and fog lines. The officer initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of State Road 37 and 16th Street.
Upon making contact with Newkirk, Officer Daugherty noticed a strong odor of alcohol. Newkirk initially denied drinking, claiming a friend had spilled beer on him. He agreed to perform a series of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, where he reportedly showed signs of impairment.
A preliminary breath test administered at the Bedford Police Department yielded a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.190%, more than twice the legal limit. After being read his rights, Newkirk admitted to having consumed four beers several hours earlier.
Newkirk was transported to IU Health Bedford Hospital for a certified blood draw and was then taken to the Lawrence County Jail. A review of his criminal history revealed a prior OWI conviction from April 4, 2023, in Martin County, elevating his new charge to a felony.
He has been charged with OWI with a prior conviction and OWI endangerment and transported to the Lawrence County Jail.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the Probable Cause Affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
